It was a beautiful day...All glories to Gurumaharaj

We are all set for a picnic...Wanted to have a casual call with my member on how things are . Her mom picked the call. She is also joining us in the picnic, I asked her "How are you doing? All set for the picnic?"

And she responded, "What can I say? You guys are here just to spread happiness"

All glories to Guru maharaj !

Param Vijayate Sri Krsna Sankirtanam !

People love us just because of Guru Maharaj !

My vyasa puja offering

Nama Om Vishnu padaya Krishna preshtaya bhutale

Srimate Jayapataka swamin iti namine

Nama Acharya padaya Nitai kripa pradayine

Gaura katha dhama daya nagara grama tarine

 

My Dear Spiritual father,

 

Please accept my respectful obeisance’s,

All glories to Srila Prabhupada,

All glories to your divine grace,

 

Happy birthday Gurumaharaj.

 

Thank you so much Guru maharaj for every single thing you do for me. How wonderfully you make your sensitive insignificant little daughter so very special every single time. At one point of time when I felt so very hopeless and said to you “I’m not good.” Not really knowing how you would react. And much to my amazement you heard all and replied  me “You are very dear to me. You should know this.”  Who in the three world will even knowingly accept someone so very defective heartily and love unconditionally.

 

Every visit of yours always gives me a new fired up enthusiasm, new rays of hope but I’m so very sinful that it doesn’t last long. Please bless me that I remain enthused to serve you following your instruction always.

 

You are showering unlimited causeless mercy on me to help me come out of this material world but I’m so dumb, useless not understanding the importance of you and your instructions. Be it chanting, following the rules and regulations, waking up early, reading Srila Prabhupada books, attending arti, following the vaishnava etiquettes, doing services…. - Every single activity in devotional service is difficult for me.  I try to do them but hadn have never been consistent so far. I should also admit that In spite of hearing few personal instruction from you, I still could am still not able to follow them. I understand that I’m not sincere. But my dear father, you know any little thing I’m attempting is just because of you. Who else can make a demonic person like me also to be engaged in your service and Krishna’s service. You are glorious Guru maharaj ! But I’m sure ,things will change and one day ONLY by YOUR MERCY I will be sincere to accept all your blessings and will please you with every activity of mine.

 

On this auspicious day , I’m praying to you  please bless me that I always remain your dependent daughter attached to your lotus feet and help you enthusiastically in whatever way I can under the guidance of my seniors.

 

Your (neophyte) spiritual daughter,

(Diksha disciple)

Sriguru sevanandi devi dasi

me...

http://zodiac-signs-astrology.com/zodiac-signs/cancer.htm 

A beautiful offering

The lotus feet of the spiritual master are the abode of pure devotional service. I bow down to those lotus feet with great care and attention. It is through the grace of the spiritual master that we cross over this material existence and obtain Krsna.

In this world, Sri Guru is the only beauty; he is the only asset and only wealth. Nothing else is there.

 Sri-guru-carana-padma, your lotus feet are compared to the lotus.Lotus flower looks very nice and beautiful and lotus has honey in it, sweet honey. The bumblebee collects honey from many flowers but especially collects honey from the lotus flower. The honey collected from other flowers and the honey collected from the lotus flower have some differences. The honey from the lotus flower is special honey. The bumblebee goes and collects honey from the lotus flower. It is known as padma-madhu, special type of honey. Let me be like a bumblebeewho is is very hungry and greedy to have that special honey.

So, wandering hither and thither, at last that bumblebee comes to the lotus flower and experiences the cooling, soothing effect and gets relief from pain and suffering. So he takes shelter in the lap of the lotus flower; inside the lotus flower. And the lotus also gives him shelter and thereby he gets such cooling effect. The lotus allows him to suck this nice, sweet honey. The bumblebee sucks nice sweet honey from the lotus and gets nourishment.Similarly, youallowed such a hopeless, wandering soul like me to take shelter at your lotus feet. Your lotus feet honey gives vitality to a hopeless soul like me. Your lotus feet, my home let it be my life and soul.  From this home I have received all things. Everything good around me is a manifestation of this mercy. My vitality , my existence everything is manifestation of your mercy. For such a wonderful spiritual master let me have a strong desire to follow his instruction very carefully and deeply.Let no other desire come in my heart.

Conviction

I saw one devotee in ISKCON chennai, whom I was not familiar, atleast I havent interacted with him.He was distributing dhonna prasadam for all the public. He was making everyone (doesnt matter whoever you are) to chant mahamantra loudly and then he gave the prasadam. Some of them took time, the queue were growing big but he dint seem to bother all those things. Sometimes when the kids were in the line, he taught them word by word and made them chant.I was also waiting on the queue.

My pb got his prasad and came out and asked me did you hear what that prabhu answered the mataji who asked "why are you making us chant louder?" I said "No" (anyways i was very focussed on getting my prasad) .My prabhu continued he answered "Krsna is saying us to do. Do it. Chant loudly." That lady dint know what to tell him. She chanted once, took the prasad and left.

I felt coooooool...when my turn came, I listened to him, told one time mahamantra and took the prasadam from him.

All glories to the Supreme Lord Krsna !

All glories to Srila Prabhupada !

All glories to Srila Gurudeva !

Losing hope

I lost all hope that I can cook something good one day... :( 

SP says Foolish creatures :)

One time an atheistic svāmī remarked, "What is the use of watering the tulasī plant? It is better to water eggplant. By watering the eggplant one can get some fruits, but what is the use of watering the tulasī?" These foolish creatures, unacquainted with devotional service, sometimes play havoc with the education of people in general.

- SB 3.15.19

Foolish creatures :D

Amma

Was sick for sometime after vrindavan trip also and was under my moms love and care. Doesnt matter how much ever old you are, mom is always mom. She was treating me so much like a patient , not allowing me to carry my bag or water bottle also. She was little hesitant to speak in the reception for my admission and discharge as they gave some forms to filled n all . I had to do it but otherwise she was climbing up and down to get me juices and medicines as though she was younger. Worried about her health when I said I can manage, she said Im doing a Vaishnavi seva, why are you stopping me..huh ! At some point people learn to talk :)  More than anything she was happy that she could be with me full two days. She wanted to share or rather chit chat with me so much , that she tried to use the fullest use of it. Wish I really know what would attract her in KC to help her.

She called me yesterday saying she was not well. Neither me nor my  brother could accompany her to the hospital.To some extent she understands the situation, but she might have expected me or my brother to be with her. I felt bad. I was talking to her over phone every now and then but I Wish I be around her when she needs me.

Was a nice day

Today was close to a perfect day. Woke at 3:15 , chanted my rounds, did MA, completed the rest of my rounds by 7:30 AM. Cooked , changed dress for JBS. Gave bath to Natabara Nitai gaur, offered, honored. Completed reading the book Many moons that I  had lended from my god brother. Attended RMM's SB class. Slept for an hour. Painted NBNG. Did Gaura arati, Made chapati, dhal for dinner. Did some grocery shopping. Now off to bed hearing Gurudev's lecture. Was a nice day.

Thank you Gurudev ! 

My Gurudev - A Pure devotee like Bhismadev

Was reading Srimad Bhagavatam canto 1 - Chapter 9: The Passing Away of Bhīsmadeva in the Presence of Lord Krsna. One particular sloka made me vividly think about my spiritual father. SP writes in purport.

"Another point is that Bhīṣmadeva at that time was not only lying on a deathbed of arrows, but was greatly aggrieved because of that state. One should not have asked him any question at that time, but Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa wanted to prove that His pure devotees are always sound in body and mind by dint of spiritual enlightenment, and thus in any circumstances a devotee of the Lord is in perfect order to speak of the right way of life."

No wonder my Gurudev is always in perfect order.

Jai Gurudev.

Donts learning after Vrindavan trip

Learnt the below from the devotees by observing them not doing it

- Know your limits.People look at you wierd when u overact or over react
- Dont create sympathy (looks bad. Anyway everyone of us are dying every second)
- Try to put across things politely. Works better
- Seniors are seniors.Respect them.
- Everyone are devotees,consider treating them properly as well atleast.
- Devotees encourage you, so that you stick to KC. Dont feel proud.
- Keep your surroundings clean.
- You need not abscond to make your presence known. There are better ways.
- Gossipping - not required, especially in dham.
- Devotee committs mistakes too. Take it easy
- Being rich is not an assert for your Kc.
- Kids may not be initiated but they may be born devotees.Treat them well.


Thats it for now. Jai ho !

My big family

"We shall have one big one for you on 31. It will be the biggest i think. Do not worry."

My (god) brother messaged me the above and my (god) sister excitedly called and told me "We are all coming there to help you and you can fill the count in excel sheet" and they did it. All glories to all the devotees who came down to chennai . Had an excellent lunch and beautiful evening in the association of devotees.Gurumaharaj is very merciful on me. Such a lovely family I have.

All glories to Gurudev !

Higher or Lower in spiritual life

Was feeling good about the weekend damodar program we had until I spoke with my god brother. Felt tooooooo small when I heard about their mega programs. 300+ people turned up in program in an apartment.  Sunday program 175 people turn up, temple program 700+ people are lighting diyas.  Everyday  day minimum 60 people turn up in house programs. Many doing 2 pgms a day. Devotees are taking big big austerities. huh ..Where am I in the race of pleasing Gurudev ? It is not gonna be a winning game.. Slept off in the morning and dint wake up nor want to wake up for mangal arti also.

But one good thing is.. I dint feel envious. GM mail is sooo soothing that anytime I read it, I get a big smile on my face. All glories to my sweetest father. As I was thinking on this, I got a mail from Hare Krsna Quotes and it said - "In spiritual life, higher or lower is not about how much you can accomplish; higher or lower is about the purity of your motivation, the spirit of your compassion and love -RNS"

Ok ! now, Someone mercifully wants to support me by giving helping hands to do a big program and 

ouch ! I’m refusing saying I have no time to do wicks or prasad. 

Sri Madhavendra puri's DS

Reading Caitanya Caritamrita - Sri Madhavendra puri's devotional service. One particular translation which was so striking was this.

"Mādhavendra Purī smeared the sandalwood pulp over the body of Gopīnātha, and in this way he was overpowered with love of Godhead." (CC madhya 4.175)

I loved the way Srila Prabhupada used the term OVERPOWERED :)

Story Of Teddy

As she stood in front of her 5th grade class on the very first day of school, she told the children an untruth. Like most teachers, she looked at her students and said that she loved them all the same. However, that was impossible, because there in the front row, slumped in his seat, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard.
Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he did not play well with the other children, that his clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath. In addition, Teddy could be unpleasant.

It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and then putting a big "F" at the top of his papers.

At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review each child's past records and she put Teddy's off until last. However, when she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise.

Teddy's first grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners... he is a joy to be around.."

His second grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is an excellent student, well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle."

His third grade teacher wrote, "His mother's death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best, but his father doesn't show much interest and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken."

Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and he sometimes sleeps in class."

By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Teddy's. His present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper That he got from a grocery bag Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents. Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one-quarter full of perfume.. But she stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist. Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, "Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my Mom used to." After the children left, she cried for at least an hour.

On that very day, she quit teaching reading, writing and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children. Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class and, despite her lie that she would love all the children the same, Teddy became one of her "teacher's pets.."

A year later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling* her that she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life.

Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy. He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in life.

Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would soon graduate from college with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was still the best and favorite teacher he had ever had in his whole life.

Then four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree, he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had. But now his name was a little longer.... The letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, MD.

The story does not end there. You see, there was yet another letter that spring. Teddy said he had met this girl and was going to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit at the wedding in the place that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom.

Of course, Mrs. Thompson did. And guess what? She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing. Moreover, she made sure she was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together.

They hugged each other, and Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs. Thompson's ear, "Thank you Mrs. Thompson for* believing in me. Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference."

Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back. She said, "Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn't know how to teach until I met you."
Just try to make a difference in someone's life today? tomorrow? Just "do it". 

Liked reading the above story. Felt Krsna consciousness - Changing people's hearts for ever and giving people hope of a better life for ever.

Austerity

Karthik month started and everyone is busy taking austerities. I enquired few of my god brothers and sisters on their austerity for this month, I heard many of them telling like waking up for Mangala arti, chanting the rounds in the morning, reading bhagavatam, completing a canto within this month, hearing GM lecture every day, one meal a day, no sweets…etc. It striked me in the morning while doing MA, why are these called austerities , when devotional service is suppose to be done blissfully. I explored the meaning of austere and to how Prabhupada  explains devotional service as austerity.

First the dictionary meaning

aus·tere

adjective \ȯ-ˈstir also -ˈster\

: simple or plain : not fancy

of a person : having a serious and unfriendly quality: having few pleasures : simple and harsh

Full Definition of AUSTERE

1

a :  stern and cold in appearance or manner

b :  somber, grave <an austere critic>

2

:  morally strict :  ascetic

3

:  markedly simple or unadorned <an austere office> <an austere style of writing>

4

:  giving little or no scope for pleasure <austere diets>

Srila Prabhupada says

Divyam is explained in the Bhagavad-gita: janma karma ca me divyam [Bg. 4.9]. If you simply take little trouble to understand Krsna... That tapasya required: to read Krsna's instruction, Bhagavad-gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam, and try to understand Krsna. Because that tapasya, if you take little painful... It is not painful. It is very pleasing. But we avoid it. We think it is painful. "Ah! Who is going to read books? We are meant for selling books, not for reading books." This is not good. We should read also. That is tapasya. Saddhaya. That is tapasya. Don't think that simply our books are meant for selling. No. It is meant for reading also. If we read regularly, at least two hours, three hours, that is tapasya. Tapo divyam [SB 5.5.1]. To understand spiritual position, my spiritual position, Krsna's spiritual... (aside:) So that is tapasya. These are the tapasyas. To rise early in the morning, that is also tapasya. Not that every day we have to ring bell -- dung, dung, dung, dung -- "Get up! Get up!" "No, I am sleeping." No, you have to accept. These are the tapasyas. We cannot avoid. If we actually want to avoid this body, working like cats and dogs, like animals, then we have to undergo tapasya, a very simple tapasya.

-       Reference http://www.prabhupadavani.org/main/Bhagavatam/423.html

So Krsna consciousness is not a sacrifice it’s the tapasya for our eternal happiness , REAL HAPPINESS . Wish I do some tapasya this month and get multi folded benefits. J  

Feeling loved...

karuṇā nā hoile, kāndiyā kāndiyā,
prāṇa nā rākhibo āra

Have been relishing GM's mercy on me.O Krsna ! How can he love me so unconditionally though Im a big sack of anarthas...By Jagannath's mercy I wish I carry this mood with me always.I am glad that my gurumaharaj is always there for me..loving me and caring for me..feeling so indebted.

Natabara Nitai Gour's FIRST Birthday.

June 03 2012 was when they came to us on a Smriti Panihatti festival. After 100+ devotees did their first abhishek for them, they travelled with us to Caitanya Nitai desh spreading their mercy. Morning we did Kirtan to the Lordship and heard GM lecture on Caitanya mahaprabhu's mahaprakasha lila. They had their usual breakfast and lunch.

Evening I started around 6 from office, picked up vegetables, fruits, groceries, decoration things for them and reached home at 7:30 PM. Jagannath's mercy I was quick enough to finish making cup cake (thanks to sudhamayi mj for the mould) , pasta, pav bhaji , mango milk shake in 40 mins time.

It was fun decorating the altar for their birthday. This is the first time I ever decorated for a birthday, though it was not great, I loved it.

Can you see the toffees for them :) and balloons hanging ?  I hope they liked it. Gpp joined me late , helped me in tying balloons and he offered them dinner.

Whole year they had been wearing new dresses most of the week. But Wish I had stitched a new dress for them for today. I tried it over weekends, may be my desire was not so good..it never turned up. Sorry Gour Nitai.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time with them today. BLISSFUL day it was.. 

All glories to Sri Sri Natabara Nitai gour.!

All glories to Srila Prabhupada,

All glories to my beloved father ! Jai Gurudeva .

Srimati Sita Devi (consort of Lord Sri Rama) -- Appearance day special

My first dress to the Lordship. Its neither perfect nor beautiful but with Love and Love....and they mercifully accepted my service on Srimati Sita Devi (consort of Lord Sri Rama) -- Appearance day .

Ram Lakshman Janaki, Jai bolo Hanuman ki !

Jai Jagannath Baladev and Subadra ma !
Jai Natabara Nitai Gaura !
Jai Prabhupada !
Jai Gurudeva !

No dull moment with Gurudev

It was just an awesome 3 days with Gurudev in CaitanyaNitai desh. The initial trip of his was postponed by a week because of his health. This visit of his I really felt like my JBS and NBNG have sent me for a rehabilitation crash course.Lots of realisation, lots of action points which I noted down for myself.  Monday we heard from GM on Akshaya trithiya. Tulasi maharani's  glories was the highlight. (Do you know you get 1 crore time benefit if you chant in front of Tulasi ? )

Tuesday was nectar, we had continous classes. Bhanu maharaj spoke on GBC, Guru, Temple Authority and Disciple relationship. Folllowed by a very crispy class on 10 offenses. (Two of it which was so striking was - Attachment is opposite to surrender, If you chant Nama with offenses crossing Anartha Nivridhi stage will take a longer time) Mahavaraha pb spoke on Guru Tattva (with dog example) and finally GM spoke on offenses. Thanks to Krsna, he is not chopping our head with Sudarshana when we commit 100 offenses like how he did to Sishupal. That night (Second day) I also stayed in the house where GM was staying and I was meditating so much that I should improve my DS . Whatever I missed to pray in Mayapur dham ( desire tree dham), I prayed at that house bcos Gurudev was there. I dint speak to him. But I heard him.

Guru's mercy is unlimited and so is his service. Though nothing was planned on my service, my beloved gurudev was merciful enough to engage me in his service and taught me lots of lessons. I cooked, cleaned the room, vessels, made garlands, distributed books, served his servants. Many of my God brothers and God sisters were inspiring. They taught me Do's and Dont's. Surprisingly this time, I  enjoyed every minute and there was no dull moment.

Final touch was when GM had asked GPP..what is your wife's name ? Guru Seva ?? and GPP completed it :) So much love he has for me. He knows that I love to hear my name from him.

Love you Gurudev ! Please bless me that I remain faithful to you, following the vows I promised, chanting 16 rounds and eternally be engaged in your service blissfully.